Demographics

tices. It is also crucial to identify opportunities to increase citizen participation and to involve civil society and local stakeholders in the elaboration of a comprehensive prevention strategy.22 The next paragraphs introduce factors and actors a local polarisation audit can identify and analyse.

Demographics

Polarisation is not caused by nor unambiguously linked to demographic diversity. However, toxic ‘us’ and ‘them’ narratives often build on and exploit demographic data to highlight a presumed opposition between groups of population. If these narratives gain credence, tensions and fragmentations within local society increase. The analysis of such toxic narratives in light of relevant demographic data can allow local authorities to identify those demographic markers that nourish the supposedly antagonistic collective identities that polarise society. Socio-economic and gender inequalities as well as the absence of equal opportunities for religious or ethnic minorities in local society are factors that should be examined in a local polarisation audit. Data on the following should be collected and analysed: 1. Social equality (i.e. income and distribution of wealth, education and employment match/mismatch, age groups, long-term inhabitants vs. newcomers), including health inequalities and their social determinants.

2. Employment rates, with a special emphasis on links with gender, age, ethnicity and the level of education. 3. Social diversity and multiculturalism. 4. Changing demographic factors and elements (i.e. income distribution/employment in a certain neighbourhood, the arrival of new immigrant groups, the level of social integration of different ethnic and religious groups).

22- Ibid.